About - Mothers of Mayhem

Our Story

With an unconventional take on the ‘American Rock Band’, Mothers of Mayhem ” are sure to change your perception about the music scene and motherhood” [Mountain Town Music]. In 2017, the stage was set when drummer Nikki Ashton and guitarist Jami Taylor founded bassist Victoria Green and vocalist Jessica Groom to form Mothers of Mayhem. They never guessed the influence they would have, now playing to thousands and inspiring others to reach beyond themselves while doing something unique and pursuing their dreams. This rock band, consisting of four moms, spreads goodness, laughter, and smiles to the faces of everyone they play for. After a few years of touring and playing shows in Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, they’re not slowing down. Playing larger shows, festivals, and expanding their art by hitting the studio, creating a new blend of hard-rock/ mom-metal original music. True artists both in creating new music as well as taking the stage in dresses, heels, bright red lipstick, playing music they love, their energy and showmanship leave fans chanting for more after every show. Be bold, be wonderful, and always find a home rocking along with Mothers of Mayhem.

Jessica Groom

Lead Vocalist, Rhythm Guitar, and Keyboard

Jessica’s love for dancing and performing came at a young age singing in church, and dancing in her bedroom to old country classics in her home on a ranch in Wyoming.

NIkki Ashton

Drummer

Nikki was born in Chicago, Illinois to highly energetic and gregarious parents.

Being quiet by nature, and surrounded by 4 busy siblings, Nikki discovered her most expressive voice through music. At the age of 5, her parents purchased a piano and she developed an instant connection with the instrument. After continuously making noise of her own, mostly variations on a theme from Chopsticks, her parents felt it would be nice for her to broaden her skills. She excitedly started piano lessons, and eventually earned herself a degree in piano performance from the University of Utah.

Fast forward many years, Nikki finds her life in the small, mountain town of Eden, Utah, with her husband and 5 children, to be her absolute favorite thing! She puts more miles on her van than a taxi driver and loves exploring new adventures with her family, particularly those involving mountains and beaches. She would love to say she’s a fabulous cook, but tries really hard not to lie! She believes the most delicious foods come from trees, and is particularly appreciative of grapefruits, avocados, and cacao beans. (Chocolate is a must have)!

Well into her 30’s, Nikki felt that growing need to find her own voice again, and this time it presented itself in the shape of a drum kit. She fought back feelings of nerves and self-doubt, and enrolled herself in drum lessons. She found a new fire and soon began playing with a local band, The Eden Experiment, and fell in love with that experience! When that group dissipated, she had an overwhelming desire to create an all-female band, and approached Jami Taylor, (guitarist extraordinaire) with the idea. She didn’t know at the time just how much that decision would change her life!

When M.o.M. formed in 2017, the group decided to play within a musical genre that would provide ample room for Nikki to expand her talents. Growing up, her favorite music was a bit more mellow. You could often find her listening to songs by artists that included Billy Joel, Indigo Girls, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, Shawn Colvin, Jon Schmidt, Peter Breinholt, Chopin and Yo-Yo Ma, (just to name a few). Stepping into the musical style of hard rock has been one of the biggest and most unexpected surprises for her, and she is absolutely loving it! Nikki believes that diversifying musical tastes is one of life’s greatest gifts and is delighted that she now finds inspiration, and is learning so much, from the grooves of drummers such as John Bonham, Dave Grohl, Steve Adler, John Densmore, Travis Barker, Cindy Blackman, Stanton Moore and many others.

Nikki’s hope is for when people come to see Mothers Of Mayhem, they leave feeling excited to rock whatever it is they feel inspired to do in life!

Victoria Green

Bassist

Victoria got a call from Jami asking if she wanted to be in an “all girl” band.

She was on board immediately! When a girl band needs a bassist, the obvious answer is “YES!” What she didn’t let them know was that she had no idea where her bass was, and she hadn’t played it for over 10 years. After days of searching she found it at her Mom’s house under her sister’s bed. Flashing back to years before, during college at Brigham Young University, Victoria’s roommates decided to begin an all female folk band and they needed a bassist. Victoria’s years of piano lessons gave her the confidence to say, “I don’t play the bass but I’m dating someone who is.” And they had a bassist. They named the band Shye Violet, played only originals, and Victoria loved every minute of it. The band broke up when most of them got married within a year of each other. The bass was put away to make space for the beginning of families, until a time when there was once again space for the bass.

Victoria is a quieter and more soft spoken member of the band. She is the one who bakes cookies for the Sound Crew, but also insisted on Red Lipstick and Petticoats to give the Mothers of Mayhem some flair! Her favorite colors are charcoal and black. Occasionally breaking those up with bright solid colors. She tries to see the good and be the good, always.

She says her 5 kids were delighted when she started throwing in hard rock and metal music to her predominantly MoTab (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ famous Choir at Temple Square) playlist. She loves how being in a rock band has allowed her to connect in a new way with family, friends, and strangers, who fast become friends.

Her favorite bassist is Flea. Those smooth funky lines speak to her soul. But she loves that unique Tim Commerford tone! Who doesn’t? That power!

People who know Victoria in her private life are often surprised that such a sweet, conservative girl moonlights in a rock band. She says that she definitely gets her share of raised eyebrows, which reminds her to make sure she lets her hair down and not be so serious, even while she’s pinning it up for a show.

Jami Taylor

Lead Guitarist

Jami picked up the guitar at age five and has never set it down.

PRINTED MEDIA

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE – Meet The Mothers of Mayhem
UTAH STORIES – Four Moms Form a Hard Rock Band
VOYAGE MAGAZINE – Rising Stars: Meet the Mothers of Mayhem
THE UTAH REVIEW – Backstage at the Utah Arts Festival 2022: Utah bands — Mothers of Mayhem
SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS – Balloons & Tunes Bringing Mayhem To Kanab

TELEVISION

FOX 13 UNIQUELY UTAH – Mother’s Day Interview
FOX 13 – THE PLACE – Interview, July 2019

PODCASTS

VAN SESSIONS – At The Monarch with the Mother’s of Mayhem
THE TROUT SHOW – Four Utah Housewife’s That Rock
THIS IS GETTING GOOD – You’re Not Too Old. It’s Not Too Late.
SOUTHERN MAN, WESTERN TOWN – Interview With The Mothers
STUDIO 14 – I Recorded & Did A Video For A Mom Band

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